You've always had very close links with Ibiza Sonica radio. Would you say that was a platform designed to support and nurture local talent?

Yes definitely. Originally, the vast majority of fixed shows on the station were manned by local DJs, from Ibiza and Formentera. In summer that would always change a bit, as all the promoters wanted to use the airwaves to push their parties. These days there are probably less local shows than before, but I'd still say that a strong 75% of the schedule is Ibicenco. That's the great thing about Ibiza Sonica, it conveys the real sound of Ibiza. In my opinion, much more so than any of the others.

Is there a strong community of Ibicenco DJs?

Yes, but we don't all know each other or necessarily interact. And of course, when summer arrives we're very much in the minority. There are some very talented DJs from the island, but the problem is that the focus has shifted away from the resident DJ and onto the superstar. The role of the resident DJ, as it was, has all but disappeared. Before, the resident DJ would play all night and people would go to the clubs to dance to them. This is the culture that the likes of Alfredo and DJ Pippi created. But today they're an insignificant part of the team, if they're even present at all.

I would imagine Ibiza is one of the best places for a young DJ to grow up in. Would you agree?

Definitely. Aged 12 I was watching videos of DJ Pippi and Cesar De Melero and I grew up totally surrounded by musicians, producers, DJs and music-lovers. As a result I started DJing at 15, making it my profession by the time I was 20. Everyone I'd speak to growing up would talk to me about this DJ or that song, it's a huge part of the Ibicenco identity. It has to be one of the best, if not the best place to grow up if you're a fan of music of any kind.

Do you feel enough is done to integrate the island's electronic scene and local DJs and musicians?

That's a tough one. Say there are 30 to 35 top local DJs—I'd say only five or ten of those are truly integrated into the wider international scene that arrives at our shores every year. It would be great if us locals had more of a presence, but then again, we're also up against the best DJs from all over the world. Just because we're from Ibiza it doesn't make us any more talented. As residents, we are an integrated part of the scene. We provide the soundtrack to the smaller spots—the bars, beach clubs, hotels—where we spend many hours playing. Of course, I would love us to be more integrated and have more of a voice. We'd do a good job.

Leaving parties aside, what about conferences like the IMS. Do you feel they could be doing more to reach out to the locals?

That's interesting you mention the IMS. I actually played there, at Dalt-Villa, in its first year. At that time, there was an agreement with the local council that they include a local DJ on the lineup and I happened to be the one selected. In following years, that condition was sadly scrapped. I thought that was a bit of a shame. Though I do understand; after all, it's the global superstars that draw the crowds.

But what about the conference itself? There's a real opportunity there to get the two worlds interacting.

I fully agree. I think people would be really interested in what we had to say, to hear our opinions, as locals, on the scene and how it could be altered or improved. It's an island-wide issue, however, it's unfair to home in solely on the IMS. No one puts in the effort to merge the two spheres. It's also up to us, as citizens of the island, to ask for it. We can't just sit back and expect it to be offered to us. That's part of the problem.

What changes would you like to see made?

Personally, I'd like to see the clubs and promoters place a little more faith in us locals. I'd like there to be more openings for local acts to express themselves on a bigger platform. Ibiza is too saturated at the moment, every day you have five or six great parties, with top-notch DJs playing, and only two or three of them will be full. But yeah, I'd like to see more of an open-minded attitude towards local DJs. You have the likes of Willie Graff, Tucillo—these guys are from Ibiza and play at Circoloco regularly. It would be great to see more of the same. And a shift in attitude towards the resident DJ. I feel like these days it's considered an almost lowly position, which is something I don't understand.

viernes, 9 de agosto de 2013

On September 15th 2012 Ibiza Sonica was awarded as the Best International Radio by the International Radio Festival for “raising the standards of radio and create new styles and formats of broadcasting”. A year after that we keep on doing our best and of course we keep on loving radio. So, now is time to come back to Zurich to share again with worldwide radio dj´s our beloved passion: Radio!In just over a month, some of the world’s best radio talent will descend on the Schloss Sihlberg castle in central Zurich, Switzerland for the 4th edition of the International Radio Festival. Taking place from the 4th - 8th September, the IRF is the key place where the Music Radio world comes together to celebrate and showcase some of the best music programmes, with the B2B Forum being the place to deliberate and collaborate, to network and to discover trends about their Industry. The B2B Forum, is a must attend for all those with a vested interest in the world’s most consumed medium: Music Radio. The Forum offers a unique platform to break new artists, sell music, and influence consumer habits whilst engaging with both a high qualitative music radio business audience. This year's topics for discussion will focus on the "New Breed Broadcasting" and "Social Media Saved the Radio Star".

Alongside the B2B forum, the IRF is the FIRST and ONLY international radio festival of its kind featuring a programme of live radio shows from around the world, giving people visiting the festival, their listeners back home, and online around the world, the rare opportunity to "Listen to how the World Sounds".This year over 30 Radio stations & their radio jockeys from all corners of the world will attend the IRF to broadcast their shows LIVE On-air including: Radio MPB Rio Brazil; Tangsuan Radio Beijing China; Radio Wave Prague Czech Republic; Medina FM Meknes Morocco; Sonica Ibiza feat. DJ Hell as well as Ibiza Global feat: PACHA Radio Spain; Lounge FM Istanbul and Adidas Originals Radio Istanbul Turkey; Derrick May for BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio One UK; Star FM Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates; Screentracks, SOMA FM San Francisco and WBGU campus radio station of Bowling Green State University in Ohio USA; Red Bull Music Academy Radio Intl and more.

Ibiza Sonica will be participating in 2013 edition with Christian Len´s The Shelter in the category of pre-recorded shows, Igor Marijuan bringing a piece of the island with Club Ibiza and the brand new production of Ibiza Sonica, Dj Hell´s Gigolo Radio. Sonica again at Zurich´s International Radio Festival.

jueves, 1 de agosto de 2013

This next Wednesday 7th of August at Sands there will be a really special party, a very exclusive event with an impressive line up: Mood Records showcase with the likes of Danny Tenaglia, Anja Schneider, Carlo Lio, Alan Fitzpatrick, Nathan Barato, Tom Peters, Just Be and of course the label head honcho Nicole Moudaber.

After having Seth Troxler , Eats Everything, Skream and Ben Pearce playing “b2b2b2b” or celebrate Coxy´s birthday party with Igor Marijuan, Just B, Pete Tong and Carl Cox now Sands hosts another amazing line up and Absolut Vodka brings you again this live broadcasting (you already could listen Coxy´s Bday Party in a live sponsored by Absolut). You´ll be able to listen the whole party at Ibiza Sonica in a broadcasting from 3 to 9pm at 95.2 FM on the island of ibiza and of course at www.ibizasonica.com

MOOD Records provide an exploration in the sounds both produced and supported by the DJ/Producer. Taking in influences from house and techno, and the many amalgamations between the two ends of this wide spectrum, MOOD Records will befit a variety of atmospheres, not simply from genre to genre but from setting to setting.Heidi, Pan Pot, Adam Beyer or Carl Cox to name a few have supported the label so expect the finest.

Come down for Mood Records takeover at Sands with such an incredible line up and if you´re not on the island listen to it at www.ibizasonica.com